Graduation Ceremony Held for Charlottesville's First GO Solar Class

Students in Charlottesville's first GO Solar program are now officially prepared for jobs in the solar industry.

Wednesday, March 13th 2019, 12:08 PM EDT

Edited by John Early

Reported by Caroline Coleburn

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) -
Students in Charlottesville's first GO Solar program are now officially prepared for jobs in the solar industry.

A graduation ceremony was held at Charlottesville Area Transit headquarters on Avon Street Wednesday, March 13.

The city partnered with Sun Tribe Solar to create the five-week program, where the students learned how to install solar panels, in addition to completing OSHA and CPR training.

"We're really excited to give local Charlottesville residents the opportunity to be involved in that growth," said Rich Allevi, Sun Tribe Solar.

"Charlottesville's already been a leader in solar and wind power, and now to kind of combine what I call a ‘social-justice program’ with an alternative-energy program is like a win-win," Charlottesville City Councilor Kathy Galvin said.

Along with their diplomas, each of the seven graduates received a toolkit with equipment they will need as solar panel installers.